US shale gas elevates petrochemical markets

The development of horizontal drilling and hydraulic fracturing technologies has led to the rapid exploitation of US shale gas resources. This increase in shale gas production has led to a change in the US energy mix.

The development of horizontal drilling and hydraulic
fracturing technologies has led to the rapid exploitation of US
shale gas resources. US shale gas production was pegged at 27
billion cubic feet per day (Bcfd) in 2012 (Fig.
1). This increase in shale gas production has led to a
change in the US energy mix. From 20022012, natural gas
and renewable forms of energy increased their shares of the
energy mix, while the shares of oil and coal decreased.

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